A new dawn in America

Today is a new day in America, and as I sit here waiting for the guy to come and pump our septic tank, I find myself full of hope for our nation.

One online dictionary defines hope as "the feeling that what is wanted can be had, or that events will turn out for the best." Yep. That's me today. Amen.

I didn't vote for Barack Obama yesterday, and it wasn't because he was young, or liberal, or black, for that matter. I could care less what color he is. I didn't vote for him because he has so little political experience to speak of.

I'm a semi-conservative Independent voter. I will not vote for a party, but for the person I think will do the job best.

I voted for McCain because I was afraid ... afraid that someone with so little experience would be in the White House, and potentially not be strong enough to make the decision to defend our country, should the need arise. And that still bothers me. But don't get me wrong...the thought of Sarah Palin in the White House scared the crap out of me, and I don't have all that much hope in Joe Biden, either.

Americans are tired. We're tired of worrying about war and health care and the economy and we're tired of being the laughing stock of the international community. We're tired of working so hard to feed and shelter our families, and have nothing left to show for it. College is a short few years away for our oldest daughter, and we have no plan.

We need to be able to feel hope again.

Last night I fell asleep before all the numbers were in. I knew Obama was in the lead by a sizable margin, but just couldn't keep my eyes open another minute. But I awoke around midnight or thereafter, as a clearly-tired and grateful Obama had finished his speech, cameras were flashing, people were screaming, and his family stood with him on the stage....and suddenly, I felt hope rise in me.

I didn't expect it. I didn't vote for him. But as sure as I sit here typing these words, I felt hope surge through me, and tears welled up in my eyes. America had spoken. History had been made. The world cheered at a new dawn and I was humbled to see it from the warmth and safety of my bed.

As my husband and I argued lightheartedly this morning about hope, I reminded him that no matter how he felt as a die-hard Republican, or I as an Independent who voted for McCain, there was no denying that Barack Obama gives people hope. My husband told me that hope is not tangible. Hope is not a plan. I agreed, but added that hope inspires people to act. I told him that I felt sorry for anyone who could not feel hope in their lives. And I mean it.

He told me to prepare myself to get taxed up the arse. LOL

And that will probably happen. There's no getting around it. But I find myself cautiously optimistic that Barack Obama will make a good president.

Today is a new day. And I feel hopeful.